County · Washington
Island County, Washington
Island County, Washington. Island County had 85,657 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 1.4% since 2020, while Washington grew 3.8%. It holds 7 places (3 cities, villages and boroughs and 4 census-designated) and 24 census tracts. GEOID 53029.
Island County is the county of the Oak Harbor, WA micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
85,657
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 86,857 · ACS 2020-2024: 86,836
Median household income
$90,551
±$4,001 (90% margin)
Washington: $98,141
Median home value
$593,300
±$14,896 (90% margin)
Washington: $564,600
Median gross rent
$1,662
±$53 (90% margin)
Washington: $1,760
How many people live in Island County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 86,857 residents in Island County. The Census Bureau estimates 85,657 for July 1, 2025, down 1.4% since 2020, while Washington grew 3.8%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 86,836 over 208 square miles of land.
| Measure | Island County | Washington | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 86,836 | 7,816,116 | +3,970 |
| Households | 35,972±647 | 3,064,820 | +1,204 |
| Average household size | 2.35±0.04 | 2.50 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 42,744±66 | 3,306,620 | +842 |
Island County's population since 2000
From 71,558 in 2000 to 85,657 in 2025: up 19.7%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Island County?
Island County holds 7 places: 3 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 4 census-designated places. The largest is Oak Harbor with 24,083 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Oak Harbor | 24,622 | $76,084 |
|---|---|---|
| Camano | 17,356 | $105,231 |
| Freeland | 2,252 | $83,241 |
| Coupeville | 1,942 | $81,625 |
| Whidbey Island StationGEOID 5378155 | 1,671 | $45,625 |
| Langley | 1,147 | $77,072 |
| Clinton | 956 | $76,458 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Island County?
The median resident of Island County is 44.8 years old; 17.3% are under 18 and 26.8% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 75.4%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 8.7%. 8.0% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Island County | Washington | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 44.8±0.3 | 38.3 | +0.6 |
| Under 18 years | 17.3%±0.1 pts | 21.4% | – |
| 65 years and over | 26.8%±0.1 pts | 16.6% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 8.7% | 14.4% | +1.0 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 75.4%±0.6 pts | 63.1% | −3.8 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 2.2%±0.2 pts | 3.8% | −0.8 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 4.9%±0.4 pts | 9.7% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.1 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.2 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 7.5%±0.7 pts | 6.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.1 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 8.0%±0.6 pts | 15.4% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 9.4%±0.8 pts | 21.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 15.3%±1.1 pts | 7.8% | – |
| With a disability | 16.9%±1.1 pts | 13.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 4.5%±0.7 pts | 6.3% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 95.8%±0.6 pts | 92.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 36.6%±1.5 pts | 39.6% | +3.0 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 14.4%±1.1 pts | 15.6% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.0%±0.7 pts | 2.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Island County earn?
Half of Island County's 35,972 households earn less than $90,551 a year (±$4,001), against $98,141 in Washington. In 2015-2019 the median was $84,431 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $6,120 after inflation. 7.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Island County | Washington | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $90,551±$4,001 | $98,141 | +$6,120 |
| Mean household income | $113,035±$4,474 | $134,588 | – |
| Per capita income | $47,282±$1,453 | $53,744 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 7.7%±1.0 pts | 9.9% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 8.5%±2.8 pts | 11.6% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 7.7%±1.1 pts | 11.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 94.8%±1.1 pts | 93.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Island County?
Owners occupy 74.7% of Island County's occupied homes and renters 25.3%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $593,300 by its owner (±$14,896). The median renter pays $1,662 a month including utilities, and 41.1% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Island County | Washington | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $593,300±$14,896 | $564,600 | +$151,727 |
| Median gross rent | $1,662±$53 | $1,760 | +$163 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 41.1%±4.3 pts | 40.1% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,318±$53 | $2,445 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 74.7%±1.4 pts | 63.8% | +3.2 pts |
| Housing units | 42,744±66 | 3,306,620 | +842 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.2%±0.6 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 7.8%±2.6 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 78.7%±1.2 pts | 61.9% | – |
| Mobile homes | 6.4%±0.9 pts | 5.5% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.7%±0.5 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 3.2%±0.6 pts | 9.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Island County building?
Builders took permits for 209 new housing units across Island County in 2025 (181 single-family), 2.4 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Island County get to work?
68.7% of Island County's workers drive alone and 14.1% work from home. The average trip to work takes 26.2 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.3%.
| Measure | Island County | Washington | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 56.0%±1.1 pts | 64.5% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.3%±0.7 pts | 5.1% | −1.3 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 68.7%±2.4 pts | 63.4% | – |
| Carpooled | 10.0%±1.5 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 2.1%±0.7 pts | 3.4% | – |
| Walked | 3.7%±1.0 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 14.1%±1.2 pts | 19.8% | +6.7 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 26.2 min±1.2 | 26.6 min | −2.2 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Island County's census tracts?
Island County is divided into 24 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $42,188 (Tract 9702) to $117,708 (Tract 9714).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Island County compare with Washington's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 15th of 39 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 39th of 39 |
| Residents per square mile | 5th of 39 |
| Median household income | 8th of 39 |
| Median home value | 4th of 39 |
| Median gross rent | 7th of 39 |
| Poverty rate | 39th of 39 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 10th of 39 |
| Median age | 15th of 39 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Island County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.